Liriopogons (Genera Ophiopogon and Liriope, Asparagaceae): A Critical Review of the Phytochemical and Pharmacological Research.

Feiyi Lei,Michael Heinrich,Caroline S. Weckerle

doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.769929

Abstract

The closely related genera Liriope and Ophiopogon (Asparagaceae), collectively known in English as liriopogons, have similar therapeutic uses in treating cough, rheumatoid arthritis, and cleaning heat. The main aim of this review is to understand the current phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge including an assessment of the quality of the scientific evidence. A literature search was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines, by retrieving available information up to 2020 from five online resources. The bioactive metabolites of liriopogons include steroidal saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, organic acids, phenols. Cardiovascular protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, anti-viral, anti-acute myeloid leukemia and hepatoprotective effects have been at the center of attention. From a toxicological perspective Ophiopogon japonicus seems to be safe. Some problems with the quality of the pharmacological evidence stand out including the application of excessive dose level and methodological problems in the design. Additionally, a reasonable link between local/traditional uses and pharmacological assessment is often vague or not reflected in the text. Future researches on liriopogons are required to use rigorous scientific approaches in research on evidence-based natural products for the future benefits of patients.

Highlights

Liriope Lour. and Ophiopogon Ker Gawl. are two closely related genera, collectively known as liriopogons (Fantz, 1993)
The metabolites and pharmacological activities of liriopogons are reasonably well understood and this supports the idea of the two genera Ophiopogon and Liriope forming – in ethnopharmacological terms – a plant complex
Flavonoids and polysaccharides are the major classes of metabolites in both genera

Summary

Introduction

Liriope Lour. and Ophiopogon Ker Gawl. are two closely related genera, collectively known as liriopogons (Fantz, 1993). Are two closely related genera, collectively known as liriopogons (Fantz, 1993) They comprise a total of some 84 species and are indigenous to Asia, with many species having been traditionally used as medicines in China, with the common label ‘maidong’ or ‘mai men dong’ (for the tuberous roots)- including Ophiopogon japonicus, together with Liriope spicata and L. muscari as alternative sources, is an example of what Linares and Bye (Linares and Bye, 1987) called plant complexes, i.e., different (and not necessarily related) species being classed under the same common name. Other species of liriopogons have received more limited scientific attention

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